Indonesian cyclists are vying for a place in the top three at the inaugural Tour de Singkarak cycling race in West Sumatra.
The team will be led by Tonton Susanto, Ryan Ariehaan, Parno, Rastra Patria, Samai, Kaswanto, Angga Fredli and Yudho Sasongko.
In the race, which will run from April 29 to May 3, the local hopefuls are set for tough competition against visiting riders who include Asian No. 1 Aymen Ben Hassine of Tunisia, and No. 7 Ghader Mizbani and No. 19 Amir Zargani from Iran.
Tonton and Samai have ample international experience.
"Tonton was the Asia-section champion in the 2002 Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia, while Samai was the sprint section champion in the same event. So we do have the potential to win," Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) deputy chairman Sofyan Ruzian said Thursday, referring to the prestigious international event held annually in Malaysia.
"Compared with the route of the Tour de Langkawi, the inaugural Tour de Singkarak is much more difficult in terms of the climb category."
The race will run at an elevation of 1,700 meters, while the Tour de Langkawi was at 900 meters.
"We hope this event will in future be on a par with the Langkawi race."
The US$60,000 Tour de Singkarak is part of the sports tourism program launched by the West Sumatra administration, in cooperation with the ISSI and the Culture and Tourism Ministry, as well as the private sector.
"We hope this event will become an annual event," said West Sumatra Deputy Governor Marlis Rahman.
Eighty cyclists from 15 countries, including Iran, Japan, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and Switzerland, will pedal the 459-kilometer route.
The race is split into four stages: Padang-Bukittinggi (92 kilometers), Bukittinggi-Sawahlunto (85), Sawahlunto-Lake Singkarak (90), Lake Singkarak-Lake Kembar- Lake Singkarak (188).
Besides the race, the Tour de Singkarak will also feature a musical concert by Dwiki Dharmawan titled "The Soul of Minangkabau", which is a collaboration of more than 100 musicians from West Sumatra and Jakarta. -JP/Agnes Winarti
